Starting in December 2026, the Selective Service System will require all young men between the ages of 18 and 26 to be automatically registered for the military. 

This mandated draft is a part of the annual defense bill passed by congress at the end of last year in an effort to both save money spent on registration and modernize self-enlistment, so instead of having individuals required to register themselves, the government will automatically register individuals using federal data. While this federal registration does not mean that the draft is to be reinstated, it allows the government the power to draft individuals in the case of a national emergency. 

The last time the United States required a draft was in 1973, during the end of the Vietnam War. Since that time, men have been required to register for military conscription, dating back to 1980 under the presidency of Jimmy Carter. These voluntary efforts are what have been used during any national emergency up until now. 

Any failure to draft or resistance to it will be considered a crime, and will affect factors such as employment and financial aid. 

For context, this proposition began as the U.S. and Israel came into conflict with Iran. As of right now, we are currently held in a two-week cease fire in Iran. 

This decision has caused an outburst throughout all of the media, and has been the center of criticism in recent weeks, stirring up debates on whether this preparation for a draft is the correct course of action for America.